“To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.”
Nearly a decade ago, Jake and I exchanged those vows, yet the details of that day are a blur. I was just 25, the last of my friends to tie the knot—except for my friend who was pursuing her medical degree; she married at 30. We spoke the words, and thus began our adventure.
Fast forward ten years…
Husband: Where are my white dress shirt and suit pants?
Me: No clue.
(Pause)
Me: When did you last wear them?
Husband: Last year.
In disbelief, I couldn’t help but poke fun at him, as any good spouse would.
Me: I am not the Keeper of All Things—I’m just one person! You should know where your pants are! How is it possible you haven’t worn your good pants in ten months? Oh my goodness, we should find a church and start attending. It’s beneficial for the kids. Any church will do; we just need to pick one. They need to learn Bible stories because I keep forgetting to teach them since I’m too busy keeping everyone alive. The only ones I can remember clearly are about Adam and Eve and the Christmas Story. Why are you laughing?!
Jake, ever the patient listener, allowed me to vent before suggesting I check the dry cleaners to see if I had forgotten to pick them up almost a year ago.
“Well… alright,” I conceded. “But I usually keep track of that stuff well.”
Ah, karma has a way of showing up. After three days of searching for Jake’s suit pants and dress shirt, I decided to swing by our old dry cleaner—the one I stopped using because of the distance.
As soon as I rolled into the parking lot, the attendant erupted in laughter. My face flushed with embarrassment, and I felt an overwhelming sense of bewildered mortification.
“Hi, Mrs. Thompson! I knew you’d come back! I kept telling my boss not to give your stuff away!” he exclaimed as I collected the entire family’s outfits from last Christmas—yes, all five of us, nearly a year late.
Clearly, I wasn’t the only one oblivious to missing clothing.
That’s what marriage is all about.
For more insights on navigating the chaos of family life, consider checking out our other blog on at-home insemination kits, which can be a valuable resource for those on a similar journey. You can also find great information at UCSF’s Center for pregnancy and home insemination, and discover stories of hope like this one about achieving a BFP on Mother’s Day after years of struggles.
In summary, marriage is filled with laughter, mistakes, and the occasional moment of delightful chaos. Embrace the journey, and remember, you are not alone in your adventures.